A former governor of Virginia and current top Trump diplomat supports the president’s bid to end the violent protests in cities, including Richmond.
James Gilmore, who was governor from 1998-2002, said, “Those who break the law through acts of arson and looting, however, must be arrested and held accountable for their transgressions.”
Gilmore has been the U.S. ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Vienna since May. He shared his statement with us.
Everyone was rightly shocked and horrified by George Floyd’s brutal death. I will never condone excessive use of force by the police, however, one of the policemen has already been arrested and charged & is due to face justice in a court of law. Full PR -> https://t.co/03uLfvJIup pic.twitter.com/SsOvFCkVE3
— Ambassador James S. Gilmore III (@USAmbOSCE) June 2, 2020
He expressed shock over the actions of police who were involved in the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, which started the protests nationwide.
But he said Trump is right to push governors to do more to stop the violence from ruining cities and disturbing peaceful protests.
“The president has vowed to take swift and decisive action, and he has called upon governors to do the same,” said Gilmore, the former chairman of the U.S. Congressional Panel to Assess Domestic Response Capabilities to Terrorism, also known as the Gilmore Commission.
“It is the obligation of local law enforcement, supported by their governors and local authorities, to restore order in their communities,” he added.
Richmond suffered substantial damage during the initial wave of protests. Several of the city’s prominent Civil War statues on Monument Avenue were defaced with graffiti. Republicans said Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam allowed the protests and vandalism to go on without pushing back.
